Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-06
ADMIRAL LUCE REBUKED.
secretary Whitney Gables Him q
Issue No More Circulars.

O00iCCaIJ WuItney recently received the 10llOW-
Ing communication from Admiral Luce, command
Ing the North Atlantic station, dated Halifax,
July 80:
las there appeared to be a want Of information
on the part OF our fishermen operating in the
Waters OF the Gulf OF st. Lawrence, in regard to
tne IestrlctionS imposed upon foreign fishing
vessels Dy Canadian laws, series OF 1nterroga-
tories were submitted to Capt Scott, Of the Cana
oan FISHERY service, covering their rights and the
statutory restrictions, and have the honor to
enclose herewith his anwers. number OF these
circulars win be distributed among the fishing
neeI Tor the Information OF those concerned"
. Inc enclosure Is printed sheet headed
QuerleS'" and contains the series OF questions
suomitted by Admiral Luce and the replies thereto
ADMIRAL LucEs CIRCULAR,
lor the guidance OF American fishermen who
frequent Northern waters, states the terms OF the
treaty OF 1878. and guided by the grounds on
which seizures have recently been made, strongly
recommends masters to report to custom house,
not to allow the crew to trafic with the people on
snOre, ana II seized to make no statement to any
Rerson son. except & consular agent and that should
De uOne as soon as the vessel Is taken. He says 1t
is PAD policy to allow sails to hang over the ta-
raj, as 1t looks as though the name or place OF
marizes the decision Of Chief % Justice Young GUN in
the j. d. NtckersOn case as follows:
Canadian courts have already decided that the
three-mlle limit, and not being on his way to OBJ
Ca!n necessary WOOD water repairs, or shelter. is
pr1ma facie evidence Of his Intention to violate
treaty ODlgatiOnS by fishing.
seins and boats, he says, that are carried within
the prohibited limit by the tide are liable to seiz-
ure: He urges American fishermen to retain the
sympathy OF the American Government and the
american natiOn by obey1ng Canadian laws in the
minutest details.
SECRETARY wH1rNEys MESSAGE.
Ine secretary OF the Navy took Official cogni-
zance OF the matter by sending the following mes
sage by cable yesterday to Admiral Luce:
Admirdl Luce, Haitian, Noua Scotia: assume
that your application TO Capt Scott was not for
the purpose OF obtaining from him an exposition
or the law, but to enable our fishermen TO know
the extent OF the Canadian claim, and thus avoid
difficulties II they should SO choose. This is not
quite clear from your report, and 1t would be bet
as are ,U STf W1hin no vr ane such
derstood to be the agent of his government for any
such purpose as that for which you have en-
more properly be made to our own Government
In case correct statement OF the Canadian claim
Is desired. w. G. WHITNEY,
Secretary or the Navy.
ADMIRAL LUcE's QUESTIONS AND CAPT. SCOTS
The following are some OF the questions and
answers in the circular:
, l. Are there any Canadian ports where Ameri-
can vessels engaged in fishing may replensh their
stock Of provisions, and ID so name them?
Answer. Not any, but in the autumn, when
American fishermen are out of provisions and
leaving for home they are permitted to take such
as they & may require for that purpose only.
2 Will 1t be insisted upon that every American
fisherman anchoring in port or other places on the
coast for shelter only must enter and clear at
nearest custom house?
Answer. At all times when practicable to do so;
but II an inconventent distance from the custom.
house and cruiser Is present, her ceptain will
enter and clear those that apply.
J. What construction is placed by Canadian
oncials on the word repairs as expressed In the
treaty OF 1873; that Is, maya fisherman who needs
repairs TO his rigging enter port to buy roper
Does the word fepa1rs Include eyerything on board
such vessels necessary to- q complete fishing
vessel?
Answer. This must be left to the discretion OF
the collector OF customs the captain OF cruiser
as it Is liable to great abuse.